Russellville School District Registration Information 2015-2016 Monday, August 17, 2015, is the first day of school for grades K-12. Students who attended school in the Russellville School District last year are pre-registered. ELEMENTARY (Kindergarten through 4th Grade) All students attending Russellville schools in kindergarten through fourth grade who are new to the district should register as soon as possible beginning Monday, August 3. Elementary students register at the school in their zone. Required...

Letter to the Editor: Class of ‘65 welcomedThe Class of 1965 held their 50th Reunion this past weekend. I had the pleasure of joining these former students on Saturday afternoon for their tour of Russellville High School. We started at the Center for the Arts with Mr Randall Williams as our tour guide. Mr. Williams covered all of the physical plant as well as what went on in each area of RHS. He answered questions and covered all programs in detail. As I left the gathering I thought ho...

Community photo: Rotary ClubMayor Randy Horton (second from left) and Finance Director Jerrold McKaughan (right) recently spoke to the Russellville Rotary Club about the proposed one quarter of 1-percent sales tax. Several examples were given as to how the money would be used in regard to police, fire, Recreation and Parks, and many other departments within the city. After the three readings during the monthly city council meetings, the mayor is hopeful for a successful ...

News Briefs (July 21, 2015)Adult fall softball league registration Registration for the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department’s fall softball league will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, at the Hughes Community Center. The forms are available at www.russellvillearkansas.org or at the Russellville Recreation and Parks office. For information call 479-968-1272. Two Rivers school schedule pickup Two Rivers schools will have student schedule pick-up from 8 a....

Local seniors race to success at OlympicsRussellville locals Johnnie and Joyce Hopgood, who recently celebrated their 50 year marriage anniversary, have always done everything together since 1964, when they first started dating. The only thing more surprising than their dedication to one another, is their dedication to staying active despite their ages. Since Joyce turned 50, the couple has competed together in both the State/Regional and the National Senior Olympics Games. The Hopgo...

Letter to the Editor: Media Reporting - Chattanooga TragedyLike many Americans, I am angered and disgusted by the non-stop national media reporting and biographical videos about the terrorist who murdered five-Americans in Chattanooga. I refuse to even say his name. The networks and online media are non-stop with stories about his childhood and interviews with his friends and family. Videos of him and pictures depicting him as a ‘normal’ person. Time to call him what he is, a murderer. He deserves no ...

Community photo: RHS choir and bandMembers of Russellville High School Choir and “Marching Cyclone Band” became stars of their own Disney show on May 29 and May 31 when they entertained resort guests at Waterside Stage at Downtown Disney and the Magic Kingdom. The group traveled 1,000 miles from Russellville to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to take part in the Disney Performing Arts Program. The marching band, under the direction of Dewayne Dove, entertained hundreds ...

Club News (July 19, 2015)Pope County Cattlemen’s Association The Pope County Cattlemen’s Association (PCCA) met on June 11, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Fellowship Hall for their regular monthly meeting. President Gerald Chenowith call the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Gary Rowlands gave the opening prayer and members then enjoyed the dinner prepareed by Darlene Weir and sponsored by the Ouachita Livestock Market, LLC. of Ola. Chenowith thanke...

Don’t be scammed by your ‘favorite grandson’LITTLE ROCK — Scammers are reviving an old ploy to swindle the elderly out of their money. The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Public Protection Department has recently seen an uptick in reports of the “favorite grandson” scam. These con artists prey on the elderly by calling and identifying themselves as the individual’s favorite grandson or other close relative, who is in serious trouble or has been in an accident and needs money wired ri...

Slain Marine served honorablyLITTLE ROCK — U.S. Senator John Boozman is remembering the service of a Marine with Arkansas ties killed this week in attacks on two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Boozman said in a statement Saturday that Staff Sgt. David Wyatt served his country honorably and gave his life in defense of American freedom. The Republican lawmaker also says the country can’t forget that threats to America exist even away from combat zones. Wyatt...

Sales tax election in motionThe Russellville City Council read for the first time an ordinance providing for the levy of a one-quarter percent sales tax within the city limits during Thursday’s regular meeting. A separate ordinance also read for the first time would schedule a special election on Nov. 10. Mayor Randy Horton said the ordinance would be read again in August and September, with a referendum and townhall meetings before the Nov. 10 special election if the co...

Births (July 19, 2015)Posey Elizabeth and Justin Posey welcomed their daughter Serenity Sapphire Posey on July 09, 2015. She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 21 ¼ inches long. Her siblings are Melody Posey age 5, and Daniel Posey age 3. Her grandparents are Bryan and Kim Posey of Brookfield, Mo. and David and Melissa Talkington of Dover. Long Bailey and Brandon Long of Russellville, welcomed their son Brayden Ray Long on July 10, 2015. He weighed 4 pounds, 14 ou...

Arkansas Tech student-athlete dies in accidentZemaric Holt, a student-athlete at Arkansas Tech University, died on Sunday, July 19, as a result of injuries suffered in an accident at Long Pool Recreation Area in Pope County. “Arkansas Tech extends its deepest condolences to the family of Zemaric Holt, his teammates and his friends,” said Dr. Robin E. Bowen, Arkansas Tech president. “Please know that counselors are available in the Arkansas Tech Health and Wellness Center at Dean Hall (479...

Former Razorback challenged to ‘ride for a reason’Equestrian Zone (EZ) invited Arkansas media personality and former Razorback D.J. Williams to visit the therapeutic horse riding facility on Wednesday and complete some of the riding tasks that the facility’s patients perform. Dana Warren, physical therapist and member of the Equestrian Zone advisory council, said she saw Williams invited viewers of the KARK 4 morning show he co-hosts to challenge him to perform a variety of tasks. Warren said...

In the CourtsFelonies David Gibbons, Fifth Judicial District prosecuting attorney, filed the following criminal charges from July 11-17 in Pope County Circuit Court: Brad Jiles, 67, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. Brandi White, 25, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Richard Bentley, 26, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Jay Dickson, 42, possession of a controlled substanc...

Health reportsPublic health officials inspect restaurants for foodborne illness risk factors and good retail practices. The following items were listed on reports for Pope County restaurants inspected between July 10-Thursday. July 10 Polka Dots & Tots Academy, 108 E. 15th Street Foodborne illness risk factors — Complied with all regulations at time of inspection. Good retail practices — Complied with all regulations at time of inspection. Monday Popeye’s, ...

Russellville graduate among Marines killed in Chattanooga attacksDedicated. Enthusiastic. Leader. Heroic. These are just a few of the words used by family and friends to describe Staff Sgt. David Allen Wyatt, 35, a Russellville High School (RHS) graduate and one of four Marines killed Thursday in Chattanooga, Tenn., during an attack on two military facilities there. Wyatt was a 1998 graduate of Russellville High School, where he played football, ran track and played tuba in the band — he even had the opport...